Helen Louise (Solberg) Larsen

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Larsen, Helen Louise (Solberg) age 94, died at home in Minneapolis on January 23, 2015 . She was born October 1, 1920, in Mankato, MN, and grew up in Elk Mound, WI. Helen graduated from Elk Mound High School in 1938, and graduated from Eau Claire Teacher's College in 1942. She married Alton Larsen, from Knapp, WI, in 1945. Helen and Alton lived in Washington, Wisconsin, and Minneapolis, MN, eventually settling in Ostrander, MN in 1954. During these years, Helen was a stay-at-home mother, Lutheran minister's wife, and substitute teacher. In 1964, the family moved to Zumbrota, MN, where Helen continued to be very active in the church, raised her children, and taught grade school for 16 years. In 1984, Helen and Alton retired to Old Frontenac, MN. In 2007, they moved to Minneapolis. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Cornie (Sorenson) and Carl Solberg, brothers and their spouses, Basil (Esther), James (Jini), sister Donna, sister-in-law and her spouse, Dorothy (Orville), daughter Kari, son Eric, and husband Alton. She is survived by her children, Trygve (Helen), Kristin (John Besser), and Karla (Ken Bearman); sister-in-law Myrna Larsen, brother-in-law James (Mary) Larsen, loving nieces, nephews, cousins, "adopted families" Ohaks and Phernettons, and many dear family friends. Helen was a teacher, artist, family historian, the consummate preacher's wife, and quite the mom. Her mission in life, whether in the classroom, at church, on the elevator, in the grocery store, in her home, anywhere: to be inclusive, to make sure everyone counts, to welcome others into her space, and to love unconditionally. Helen's last years were enriched by the staff of Walker Place, Chaplain Marty Jones, Park Nicollet Methodist Hospice care team, especially nurse Jeff, and her loving caregivers, Renee, Stephanie, Angie, and Nancy. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on February 22, 2015, at Walker Place Chapel, 3701 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis. A graveside service and fellowship will be held later this year at Lands Lutheran Church, Zumbrota, MN. Memorials to the churches Helen and Alton served, Park Nicollet Hospice, or donor's choice.

Published on February 1, 2015